We’re not the only ones suffering through the bad economy. Increasingly, we’re seeing more stories like this one on MSNBC.

Family pets are being surrendered to shelters when owners find they can’t take care of them anymore. Or worse, pets are just being left behind when families leave homes that are being foreclosed. Sadly, the last option can be a death sentence for pets.

Are you involved with any of the local shelters and have noticed an uptick in dog and cats being dropped off because families cannot care for them anymore? Have you adopted a dog or cat from a friend or relative who is struggling in this economy? Are you concerned about what might happen to your own animals if the economy gets worse?

This is my final blog on Paws ‘n Claws. I’m sure whoever takes my place will do a fantastic job here.

I just wanted to leave you all with some pet dos and don’ts. I’m not a certified expert, I’m not a vet—just a pet owner who has done a lot of research.

Do take your pet to the vet regularly. Pets are living longer than ever these days and health maintenance is the best way to ensure your pet has a healthy life.

Don’t buy an animal from a pet store. These animal usually come from mills, which mass produce dogs, cats and everything else without regard for their safety and health.

Do consider rescue when you are looking for a pet. Lizards, horses, rabbits, cats and most dog breeds all have rescues with multiple locations across the country.

Don’t dye your poodle pink. It’s not as cute as you think it is.

Do research nutrition instead of pulling the first bag you see off the shelf. It really does make a difference.

Don’t confine your dog to the house. Take him for walks (on a leash please!) take her to the store. Take them to meet the neighbors.

Remember (and I’ve read this in one of those chain e-mails several times) you have work and school and friends. Your pet just has you. Enjoy them!

This is disgusting. News outlets are reporting on the Army’s plans to shoot pigs and then treat their wounds as part of a medical trauma exercise to better prepare for treating wounded soldiers.

I’m flabbergasted this is allowed to happen in the U.S. Yes, the military needs to keep up with training, but not by shooting living things that feel pain in a very real way.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) is, naturally, working hard to stop this before it happens today in Hawaii. I often find PETA’s tactics to be unhelpful and over the top, but in this case they are spot on, encouraging outraged animal enthusiasts to call the military en masse to protest this exercise.

I hope more rationale minds will prevail today. No animal should be used for something like this. If these military higher-ups want this training, they should volunteer to be shot instead.

C’mon dog owners—we’ve all got one. Mine’s on top of the refrigerator.

It’s where we throw toys that cost more than they should have after they have their innards ripped out by our pets who don’t understand that we could have bought two days worth of groceries with that money.

I’ve also got a stuffed lamb up on mine that only has a slight rip, but causes my dogs to fight like nothing I’ve ever seen.

So I stumbled across LickedToys.com which pays homage to the de-stuffed toys and the dogs who killed them.

My personal pic on the site this morning? The $10 stuff goose with an Ace bandage wrapped around the middle. I feel the owner’s pain. I think had one of those on my fridge at one point.

Some dogs are nice to their toys. But some (including Molly, my Italian Greyhound) take to de-stuffing like a sport. But while Molly will often discard her prey after the deed is done, others (including my mom’s dog) play with the carcass for months until it’s so ratty it’s held together by strings.

A recent APNews-Yahoo poll has found that pet owners were more likely to vote for Republican Arizona Sen. John McCain in November’s presidential election than Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, a Democrat.

A subsequent Associated Press article took note of the popularity of White House pets.  Like him or not, George W. Bush’s Scottish terriers are good looking dogs.

The reasoning behind the study, according to the article is that McCain owns several pets, from dogs to turtles, while Obama doesn’t have any—though he promised his daughters a dog after the election was over.

In the same poll, Obama was shown to have a lead over McCain among people who don’t have pets.

(AP Photo/Charles Dharapak, file) 

The British newspaper, The Daily Telegraph, recently reported on a study that found dachshunds, known for their long bodies and little legs, to be the most aggressive dog breed.

NBC10, Philadelphia’s NBC affiliate reported the story today, listing chihuahuas, Jack Russell terriers, Akitas and Austrailian cattle dogs as rounding out the top five.

Basset hounds, golden retrievers, Siberian huskies and greyhounds ranked among the least aggressive dogs.

What do you guys think? I’m especially interested in hearing from doxie owners. I’ve heard the rumors about this breed being … fresh, shall we say, but haven’t ever met any that were anything but friendly.

The Fourth of July is the perfect time for friends and family to get together, but please think before you include your dog in that group setting.

Unfortunately, this holiday offers the perfect mixture for a disastrous evening with your pet. If you are having people over, make sure your pets are kept safe from opening and closing doors as well as food that could be toxic (grapes, some kinds of nuts, alcohol, etc.) Many of them would much prefer to be in a quiet room away from the bustle anyway.

Fireworks—not a good idea. Period. Leave Fido at home unless he’s been proven not to be bothered by them. The large crowds, the loud bangs, the bursts of light—it’s all enough to make even the best trained animals bolt like their lives depend on it.

And all too often those dogs are hit by cars or go missing for days.

Also just a reminder in the heat—make sure your pets always have access to fresh, cool water and shade. You wouldn’t want to be tied out by your neck in the hot sun—don’t do it to your animals either.